By: Liat Kirby-Nagar

Liat Kirby-Nagar — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 07:38:11 +0000

It seems to me, Colin Rubenstein, that it’s a bit early to be dismissing concerns with Craig Laundy to the past. While it could be that you think softly, softly diplomacy is the way to go, in this case it is not. That Laundy has been given this important position when he’s on record as being narrow in his perspective and theatrically dramatic in his response to the Palestinian cause (due of course to his own ambitions and his electorate), even using his own daughter in a distasteful attempt to solicit favour via sentimentality, viz. a father’s pride in his daughter’s sentiments urging him towards greater action to the cause, is concern enough in itself. You should have come out fighting on this one, not pander in what amounts to smarmy tones to a man whose sum of experience rests in his own electorate, and always will. The only way to deal with him is full on. He should be forced to consider the Israeli perspective and, as new Federal Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, asked to elaborate his views in the light of that position. Our Jewish leaders need to command respect, and maintain dignity; this will not happen by playing diplomatic games with a man whose sympathies lie elsewhere and whose intellectual capacity appears limited.

If Laundy can’t broaden his horizon he should go. Is he still the co-chair of The Friends of Palestine? If so, he should relinquish that position as it’s not appropriate to his new role. Jewish leaders need to state the Israeli position strongly and unequivocally and give Laundy a history lesson.

So all the troubles in the region started 60-70 years ago and anybody who argues with that is not ‘fair dinkum’? Depends which side you’re on, Mr Laundy, and you in your new role of Multicultural Affairs should not have ‘a side’. Also, perhaps be more careful with use of language – the Australian/English definition of ‘fair dinkum’ makes it inappropriate within the context you used it.

Comments on: Eager to meet a new member of the ministry

By: Liat Kirby-Nagar